I LOVE this time of year! I also love friends this time of year. In Feb last year we moved into our new home (which I LOVE) and we moved into a GREAT community! I love our new neighbors. They have become some of our good friends in such a short time. They are simply amazing in so many ways. We have get togethers on Friday nights. We have play dates. We have gym friends (the ones we call all the time b/c we live at the gym now and talk them into going all the time). When the girls have girl time all the guys get together with the kiddos and play (it’s so CUTE!). When the guys get together the girls do the same but I can’t say that is cute b/c we do it all the time. We just have great neighbors/friends!! There is always someone around and I love that. Well, one of the gals had a cookie decorating party this morning. She is the best hostess and throws the best get togethers. She could be Martha Stewart and I am not kidding:). Anyway, I just want to say thank you for wonderful morning and a wonderful party!!

Another reason for this post is…. if you have kiddos there is a book called “The Elf on the Shelf”. I am buying this for my kiddos next year. It comes with a little elf and a story about the elf. You get to move the little guy all over your house b/c each night he makes a secret trip to the North Pole to talk to Santa and comes back in the morning and lands in a new place in your home. He does this each night until Christmas eve. What a great idea and what a great book. I learn so much from “T”. You all need to go out and get this book for next year!!

I hope you are all enjoying the Holiday’s as much as I am! What a wonderful time of year. If I don’t get back out here tomorrow have a Merry Christmas!!

Oh, I shot the party with my 50mm/1.2 L lens. I LOVE IT!! I have to say I think the love for my 85mm/1.2 L will never go away and it is the best lens I own and takes the most amazing pictures but I am going to fall deeply in love with this new lens (I can already tell). Like all the photogs out there say… it’s like butter and it really is.

She dipped Marshmellows in chocolate and put a candy cane for a little holder so we could dip them into our hot chocolate.. how cute is that??

 December 23rd, 2008 [Messages from Jamie]